Beethoven..

[mmro]

Why is it so difficultu to play?

[rc]

'cause LVB was the man!

...He wrote some easier pieces too y'know.  That's about where I'm at BTW, still dreaming to pull off the Waldstein, now I think I can see it in the horizon.

The day will come when I play it, then I'll say "that was fun, what next?"

[amelialw]

because of the dynamics being one of the most important things when you play his pieces. because of all the little things, the tone,detail, character that can make a great difference to how something sounds. because of the level of maturity required in a few of the pieces.

[mmro]

He was truly a genius and a keyboard virtuoso. I'm a great admiror...

[mike_lang]

Reason no. 436: ...because it reveals, to a higher degree than much other music, the performer's ability to control his music making.

[ryanyee]

or maybe it's because he was forced by his father to learn the piano. he's also my most favourite composer.

[opus57]

I think, the music of Beethoven is the most expressive and richest music in the world of classic music and in further consequence, it is very difficult to play. One work of Beethovens which is comparable with "Waldstein" is Sonata No. 32 (Op 111). I'm very anxious to play this sonata (maybe in 100 years, but however...).

On the other side: Music which is very difficult to play has not to be especially expressive...

[teresa_b]

Beethoven is often technically difficult, so that's one hurdle.  He is often profound in the emotion he evokes--capturing it is not so easy, especially if you are still having the slightest technical problem.  His music is often rather exposed, such that you must be exacting in your playing--you can't hide anything in a jumble of notes and still have it comprehensible.  You can't be overly sentimental (a la Liszt), yet too reserved an interpretation leaves Beethoven sounding strangely unmoving. 

As someone who just played the PC 4, believe me, I struggled with all of the above.  I haven't come close to my ideal performance--but at least I feel closer.

Despite all the difficulties, the most important point is the greatest redeeming value of learning Beethoven--you feel seriously ONE with the universe when you pull off a decent performance!
have fun!
Teresa

[pianowolfi]

Beethoven is often technically difficult, so that's one hurdle.  He is often profound in the emotion he evokes--capturing it is not so easy, especially if you are still having the slightest technical problem.  His music is often rather exposed, such that you must be exacting in your playing--you can't hide anything in a jumble of notes and still have it comprehensible.  You can't be overly sentimental (a la Liszt), yet too reserved an interpretation leaves Beethoven sounding strangely unmoving. 

As someone who just played the PC 4, believe me, I struggled with all of the above.  I haven't come close to my ideal performance--but at least I feel closer.

Despite all the difficulties, the most important point is the greatest redeeming value of learning Beethoven--you feel seriously ONE with the universe when you pull off a decent performance!
have fun!
Teresa

Wow, I like that. Very interesting observations. (I don't agree about the part about Liszt though, he is not some composer where one can be overly sentimental. Intense, yes) Respect for the PC 4

[pianistimo]

he was true to his feelings at any particular moment.  mozart could be happy in his music in the most dour circumstances.  beethoven, however, sought to express the human soul without a veil of happiness.  there is everything.  including anger.  indignation.  this untamed 'beast' - is calming to us because we have worse things now.  punk rock.  etc.  so - playing the most violent beethoven isn't any cause for alarm from the neighbors.  also - beethoven always seems to bring a satisfactory conclusion (unlike many other composers) to EACH PIECE.  to be so inspired to write good expos, developments, and endings for all his pieces required that he be intimately connected with the genius theory and training that was evident with mozart.  it wasn't guesswork.  it was almost at a level of dictation.  he was driven to express his soul.  and, there is always an element of hopefulness at the end of his pieces.  of calmness.  it's like he's reasurring people that will be born later - that no matter their feelings - it all works out for good.  i think he saw God in nature and took a lot of cues.

there's a feeling of 'sempre fidelius' in beethoven too.  perhaps his opera 'fidelio' appeals to those with a philosophical sense of rightness.  i think beethoven also showed that one can be imperfect - and take time to search out an answer.  beethoven is all about searching, discovering, philosphizing about what are true boundaries vs. expectations of others.  beethoven was always true to himself and his understandings and sought to share his own ideas - not really caring if anyone liked them or not.

what i find so alarming about beethoven is that on the one hand - he's a classical romantic - and then - at the end of his life where he writes these incredible long time/space descriptions - he skips romanticism and goes right to seemingly modern composition -without fully exploring anything remotely like chopin or liszt.  overly virtuosic or attempting to be extreme in sensuality.  he was careful.  he was methodic.  he wasn't given to be easily swayed or to sway anyone else.  if anyone agreed with him - it was because he gave them ample reasons and references.

[mmro]

I don't want to sound too sentimental or anything but I'll never get tired of admiring his ability of touching people's hearts with his music. I don't think any other composer has explored human emotions such as him... he simply reachs deep in your heart. Sometimes when I hear his music it brings tears to my eyes... no other composer has done that as much as him.

After more than 200 years!!! That's not human... it's something else.... simply unexplainable. 

[teresa_b]

I don't want to sound too sentimental or anything but I'll never get tired of admiring his ability of touching people's hearts with his music. I don't think any other composer has explored human emotions such as him... he simply reachs deep in your heart. Sometimes when I hear his music it brings tears to my eyes... no other composer has done that as much as him.

After more than 200 years!!! That's not human... it's something else.... simply unexplainable. 

You are not being sentimental, mmro!  It is impossible to express in words what Beethoven's music does.  It touches the deepest part of our psyche and makes us realize we are all human, and we don't need the words "Alle Menschen Verden Bruder" to understand we're all in this together. 

Teresa

[naughtius-maximus]

Beethoven is GOD 

I can't describe it, but there's just something special in his music. 

Very special. 

[counterpoint]

beethoven, however, sought to express the human soul without a veil of happiness.  there is everything.  including anger.  indignation.  this untamed 'beast' - is calming to us because we have worse things now.  punk rock. 

ROFLMAO 

[pianogeek_cz]

Despite all the difficulties, the most important point is the greatest redeeming value of learning Beethoven--you feel seriously ONE with the universe when you pull off a decent performance!
have fun!
Teresa

Heyyy, what an awesome way to put it!
An inspiring quote of Anton Rubinstein's (the 19th century Russian Teacher, not the 20th century pianist), in one of his classes: "Beethoven you are not to play. Beethoven you must preach!"

[teresa_b]

Heyyy, what an awesome way to put it!
An inspiring quote of Anton Rubinstein's (the 19th century Russian Teacher, not the 20th century pianist), in one of his classes: "Beethoven you are not to play. Beethoven you must preach!"

Thanks, pianogeek! 
Teresa

[ramithediv]

I bet Beethoven once said,

"I'll never be able to reach a whole octave",

but not in English, of course. 

[ryanyee]

I think, the music of Beethoven is the most expressive and richest music in the world of classic music and in further consequence, it is very difficult to play. One work of Beethovens which is comparable with "Waldstein" is Sonata No. 32 (Op 111). I'm very anxious to play this sonata (maybe in 100 years, but however...).

On the other side: Music which is very difficult to play has not to be especially expressive...

my sentiments exactly about what you said about beethoven.

[opus57]

hmmm... and it's a bane at the same time... you need so much time to reach the right level for playing Beethoven that it is very frustrating. I adore his music, but I become desperate when I'm trying to play it on a way which is entitled to his genius...

[ryanyee]

then try them slowly as i'm doing now. any idea why beethoven could compose music in a different style than the classical period he lived in?

[opus57]

I think he composed that way because he has had a very stong character and a very impulsive pesonality. He had piano lessons by Liszt and he overtook him soon. Even Mozart was fascinated when he heard Beethoven improvising over a theme he gave him. I suppose Beethoven realized inwardly in his soul, that he is something very special and so he used his power, his huge talent and raised out of the mass of typical classical composers. And as he became deaf, his music became stronger and clearer and he made a big change in personality... That's my image of the development of his music and his uniqueness in his age...

[pianistimo]

he had piano lessons from liszt?  liszt was 14 when beethoven was already deaf.  supposedly liszt came for a visit and was praised for his ability to transpose a prelude or fugue into another key.

[opus57]

Damn, you're right. I meant Haydn... Opus 2 is dedicated to him...